Loras College surpasses $100 million campaign milestone

DUBUQUE, Iowa — Loras College, a four-year Catholic liberal arts college, has surpassed its goal of $100 million in its Inspiring Lives & Leadership campaign. The initiative has raised nearly $105 million, making it the largest and most successful fundraising effort in the college’s 178-year history.

“The generosity of our alumni and friends has been nothing short of humbling and inspirational,” Jim Collins, president of Loras, said. “The entire Loras community extends our heartfelt gratitude to everyone whose generosity has been a part of this historic effort. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness so many tangibly demonstrate appreciation for the Catholic, liberal arts education that Loras has long provided and desires to provide for generations to come.”

Launched in 2013 as a catalyst for engaging alumni and friends of the College, the campaign’s goal was $75 million within four years. That goal was increased to $100 million in 2015 when it took just two years to reach that initial number. In making the unprecedented success possible, nearly half of the College’s alumni base—in total nearly 22,500 individuals—donated to the campaign, including 20 who have each given or pledged $1 million or more. The campaign is:

Providing financial aid for students by establishing more than 120new endowed scholarships and 55 new awards

Strengthening and expanding the curriculum to include launching new and distinctive programs, among them three new graduate programs, and the Center for Business Analytics

Enriching the student experience in such areas as spiritual life, experiential learning, career development, leadership and service opportunities

Renovating and upgrading classrooms, laboratories, Christ the King Chapel and tennis courts

Aiding improved student retention, graduation and placement rates

Adding prestige and national recognition to the Loras College brand

Key in this effort has been the nearly $42 million in planned gifts that will come in the years ahead and the close to $53 million in funds raised for the endowment between gifts, pledges and planned estate gifts.

“The positive impact of the campaign can be felt in every corner of the campus, and will continue to be felt for years to come,” said Tom Tauke, a 1972 graduate of Loras and chair of the campaign.

“Every gift made a difference. These gifts are helping us attract and retain outstanding faculty and provide support to students who would otherwise not be able to attend Loras,” Collins said.

Collins added, “The success of this campaign is having a tangible impact – it has meant that for many Iowa students, the cost to attend Loras is no higher than the cost of attending a state university.”

Individuals can still contribute to Inspiring Lives & Leadership until Aug. 31 at www.loras.edu/giving or by calling 563.588.7329.

ABOUT LORAS COLLEGELoras leverages its historic roots as Iowa’s first college, the second oldest Catholic college west of the Mississippi River and one of the nation’s 10 diocesan institutions to deliver challenging, life-changing experiences as part of its residential, Catholic setting. Loras ranks among 450 NCAA Division III athletic programs in Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings, 11th out of the Top 100 baccalaureate colleges, according to the 2016 Washington Monthly College Rankings, 13th Best Regional College, according to Midwest U.S. News Best Colleges and is among the 200 Best-Loved Colleges in the nation, according to Forbes Magazine.

Loras, as a Catholic liberal arts college, creates a community of active learners, reflective thinkers, ethical decision-makers and responsible contributors in diverse professional, social and religious roles.